Melon Ball Cocktail Drink

Melon Ball Drink

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Want a fun cocktail? Try this Melon Ball Drink recipe! It’s an effortless blend of ingredients that gives your regular drink a refreshing makeover.

Melon Ball Drink Recipe

Refresh your senses with this simple Melon Ball Drink recipe! Composed of Midori, vodka, and pineapple juice, this refreshing cocktail is an absolute delight for spring.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

171 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Maraschino cherry and pineapple slice, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Pineapple Juice: Add 2 oz pineapple juice to the mix.
  • Add Vodka: Measure and pour 1 oz Vodka into the glass.
  • Add Midori: Pour 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur over the ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
  • Garnish: Place a maraschino cherry or pineapple slice into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Midori: If you can't find Midori, you can use any other melon-flavored liqueur.
  • Vodka: If vodka isn't your thing, try using white rum instead. It adds a tropical twist that pairs well with the other flavors.
  • Pineapple Juice: Orange juice makes a good substitute if you're out of pineapple juice. It changes the flavor profile but still works well with the melon and vodka.

Making a Pitcher of Melon Ball Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Midori, 8 oz of vodka, and 16 oz of pineapple juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Midori, vodka, and pineapple juice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry or pineapple slice, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Midori Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic melon syrup; you can make this by blending fresh melon and sugar and then straining it.
  • Vodka Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vodka substitute or use more pineapple juice.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Liquor: Most liquors are naturally vegan, but some brands may use animal products in processing. Check your Midori and vodka to ensure they're vegan-friendly.
  • Garnish: Instead of using a maraschino cherry (which often contains non-vegan food coloring), opt for a fresh cherry or an extra slice of pineapple.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
171
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
18
g
6
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Potassium
 
74
mg
2
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.02
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Vitamin A
 
3
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
7
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%

 

Melon Ball Cocktail Drink

Melon Ball Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Refresh your senses with this simple Melon Ball Drink recipe! Composed of Midori, vodka, and pineapple juice, this refreshing cocktail is an absolute delight for spring.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 171

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Maraschino cherry and pineapple slice - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Pineapple Juice: Add 2 oz pineapple juice to the mix.
  • Add Vodka: Measure and pour 1 oz Vodka into the glass.
  • Add Midori: Pour 1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur over the ice.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
  • Garnish: Place a maraschino cherry or pineapple slice into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Midori: If you can't find Midori, you can use any other melon-flavored liqueur.
  • Vodka: If vodka isn't your thing, try using white rum instead. It adds a tropical twist that pairs well with the other flavors.
  • Pineapple Juice: Orange juice makes a good substitute if you're out of pineapple juice. It changes the flavor profile but still works well with the melon and vodka.

Making a Pitcher of Melon Ball Drink:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Midori, 8 oz of vodka, and 16 oz of pineapple juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Midori, vodka, and pineapple juice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a maraschino cherry or pineapple slice, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Midori Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic melon syrup; you can make this by blending fresh melon and sugar and then straining it.
  • Vodka Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vodka substitute or use more pineapple juice.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Liquor: Most liquors are naturally vegan, but some brands may use animal products in processing. Check your Midori and vodka to ensure they're vegan-friendly.
  • Garnish: Instead of using a maraschino cherry (which often contains non-vegan food coloring), opt for a fresh cherry or an extra slice of pineapple.

What is a Melon Ball Drink?

A Melon Ball Drink is a vodka-based cocktail made of Midori, vodka, and pineapple juice. This refreshing drink isn’t complicated to make; it simply requires the ingredients to be poured over ice. The Melon Ball doesn’t derive from any specific well-known cocktail but stands for its unique melon flavor derived from the Midori liqueur.

A side shot of a Melon Ball Drink cocktail in a highball glass on a wooden tray surrounded by a pineapple and a bowl with pineapple slices, in front of a green wall

What is a Melon Ball Drink made of – The ingredients

These are the ingredients you need to create a Melon Ball Drink:

  • Melon Liqueur: This is the show’s star, providing the drink with its distinctive melon flavor.
  • Vodka: adds a kick to the drink without overpowering the melon flavor.
  • Pineapple Juice: This ingredient balances out the sweetness of the melon liqueur with a bit of tartness.
  • Ice Cubes: They chill the drink, making it more refreshing.
  • Cherry and pineapple slice (optional): These can be used as a garnish, adding an aesthetic appeal and a fun, edible element to the drink.

Melon Liqueur, Vodka, pineapple juice, and pineapple slice laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Melon Ball Drink?

Create a tasty Melon Ball Drink by following our simple steps:

1
<p>Start by filling a highball glass with ice.</p>

Start by filling a highball glass with ice.

2
<p>Pour one ounce of Midori over the ice. Midori, a sweet, bright green melon-flavored liqueur, is the key component of this drink.</p>

Pour one ounce of Midori over the ice. Midori, a sweet, bright green melon-flavored liqueur, is the key component of this drink.

3
<p>Follow with one ounce of vodka, increasing the alcohol content of your mixture.</p>

Follow with one ounce of vodka, increasing the alcohol content of your mixture.

4
<p>Finish with two ounces of pineapple juice. The pineapple juice delivers sweetness and an exotic touch to the drink.</p>

Finish with two ounces of pineapple juice. The pineapple juice delivers sweetness and an exotic touch to the drink.

5
<p>Stir the drink gently with a cocktail stirrer or a long spoon. This will help to mix the flavors.</p>

Stir the drink gently with a cocktail stirrer or a long spoon. This will help to mix the flavors.

6
<p>Garnish with a pineapple slice or/and a cherry for a better looking result.</p>

Garnish with a pineapple slice or/and a cherry for a better looking result.

History and Origin of the Melon Ball Drink

In 1978, Suntory, a Japanese brewing and distilling company group, launched Midori in the United States. The debut took place at a star-studded event at Studio 54 in New York City. The new liqueur quickly gained popularity due to its unique flavor and eye-catching color.

The Melon Ball cocktail was one of the first drinks created using Midori. It was designed to showcase the liqueur’s sweet melon flavor. The combination of Midori with vodka added strength and depth to the drink, while pineapple juice provided a tropical twist.

A Melon Ball Drink cocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass on a beige surface surrounded by Melon Liqueur, Vodka, pineapple juice, and three pineapple slices

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FAQ

How many calories does a Melon Ball drink contain?
A standard serving of a Melon Ball drink contains approximately 150-200 calories. However, this can vary depending on the specific brands of alcohol used and the size of the serving.
How strong is a Melon Ball cocktail?
The strength of a Melon Ball cocktail can vary based on the ratio of ingredients used. Typically, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of around 12-15%, translating to 24-30 proof. This makes it a relatively mild cocktail compared to others.
What type of alcohol is used in a Melon Ball drink?
A traditional Melon Ball drink uses Midori, a sweet, bright green-colored, muskmelon-flavored liqueur from Japan. It also includes vodka and a splash of pineapple juice.
In what kind of glass is a Melon Ball served?
Bartenders typically serve a Melon Ball in a highball or old-fashioned glass.
What does a Melon Ball taste like?
A Melon Ball has a sweet and fruity flavor profile. The Midori gives it a refreshing melon taste, while the vodka adds some kick without overpowering the fruitiness. The pineapple juice adds a tropical twist and balances out the sweetness.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Melon Ball drink?
The standard ratio for making a Melon Ball drink is 1 part Midori to 1 part vodka, topped off with 2 parts pineapple juice. However, you can adjust these ratios to suit your taste preference.
How is a Melon Ball served with ice?
A Melon Ball is typically served over ice to keep it chilled throughout consumption. First, fill the glass with ice cubes before pouring in the mixed ingredients.

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